Stocky Galaxias
Scientific name
Galaxias tantangara
Status in NSW
Critically Endangered.
Characteristics
The Stocky Galaxias is a small, stocky fish. Distinguishing features include:
- Rounded snout
- Gold eye
- Translucent gill covers
- Dark brown to almost black spots and flecks that vary in size along the body, head and snout
- Dark olive to brown colour on the back becoming lighter brown to cream underneath
- Translucent fins that are dusky grey
Species similar in appearance
Stocky Galaxias can be confused with various other galaxid species.
Size
Individuals have been recorded to grow to 103mm long and 13g in weight, but they are more commonly seen at 75-85 mm long. Newly hatched larvae are around 9.4mm long on average.
Distribution
The Stocky Galaxias is only known from two locations within Kosciuszko National Park – the headwaters of Tantangara Creek, upstream of the Tantangara Reservoir, and Sally's Flat Creek. There is also a refuge site which has been rehabilitated to establish a new, geographically distinct population at Eucumbene Borrows, within the National Park.
Habitat
Very little is known about the ecology and environmental requirements of the Stocky Galaxias. Its preferred habitat is small, cold, clear and fast flowing alpine creeks, typically within open forests of Eucalypts, low shrubs and tussock grass, which are often covered in snow during winter. These creeks predominantly feature riffles and glides with substrate composed of bedrock, boulder and cobbles with smaller amounts of pebble and gravel and sections of silt.
All populations are currently protected by barriers which prevent trout incursions.
Why is the Stocky Galaxias threatened?
- Very limited distribution - the species is confined to Kosciusko National Park (NSW) making it extremely vulnerable to any threatening process
- Competition with and predation by introduced species
- Loss of riparian vegetation, overgrazing and sedimentation as a result of pest animals and bushfires
- Climate change and associated extreme weather events
